The common drugs that could help stop melanomas ulcerating

Cholesterol-lowering drugs could help stop skin cancers turning into life-threatening ulcerated melanomas, according to Brisbane researchers.

The new findings from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Unit showed that Queenslanders who regularly took statins had less chance of melanomas becoming ulcerated and potentially deadly.

Researchers described the breakthrough as “very exciting”, but said more studies are needed.

“We found that people who used statins regularly - at least three times a week for a minimum of three months - were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with an ulcerated melanoma compared to non-users, even after making adjustments for age and sex,” QIMR’s Dr Lena von Schuckmann said.

Dr Chris Ho from the Australian Skin Cancer clinic described an ulcerated melanoma as “a marker”.

“It is an indicator of future risk of spreading,” Dr Ho told 9NEWS.

"It is possible that statins modify inflammatory mechanisms in the body that cause melanomas to become ulcerated but further studies are needed to confirm that statins can prevent the onset of melanoma ulceration, particularly before these medications can be used therapeutically,” Dr von Shuckmann added.